tropical depression

[ trop-i-kuhl di-presh-uhn ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. an atmospheric low-pressure system originating in the tropics, specifically, a tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained wind speed is 38 miles per hour (62 kilometers per hour) or less.

tropical depression

noun

1. an area of heavy rains and winds, the first stage in the development of a possible hurricane

tropical depression

1. A tropical cyclone having sustained surface winds less than 39 mi (63 km) per hour.
2. See Note at cyclone

Word History and Origins

Origin of tropical depression¹

First recorded in 1845–50; tropical + depression (in the sense “low atmospheric pressure”

Example Sentences

Ida weakens to a tropical depression as it moves through MississippiMake your battery lastAssume your electricity can go out at any time and plan accordingly.

From Washington Post

Heavy rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida, since downgraded to a tropical depression, is expected throughout the afternoon and into the early evening before clearing overnight.

From Washington Post

Organizers of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival announced Tuesday that they would be canceling this week’s event due to flooding from Ida, now downgraded to a tropical depression.

From Washington Post

Now, the relentless storm, which remains a tropical depression as it swirls through the Deep South toward the Tennessee Valley, is slated to drop a slug of serious rainfall, bringing widespread flash flooding and the risk of a few tornadoes.

From Washington Post

On Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center had found that a complex of thunderstorms in west-central Caribbean had organized into a tropical depression, a precursor to a named tropical storm.

From Washington Post